It's complicated ...

Kathymel

Hello.

I have a question about my eligibility for housing benefit, but there is a bit of background to fill in first.

I live in North Wales in rented accommodation with my son (who spends his time 50/50 with his father and I), but spend 2 days a week in Preston during term time doing a part-time degree. In order to be able to stay in Preston I used money inherited from my mother to buy a narrowboat.

As work has been thin on the ground, I have been living off the rest of the inheritance. There is now only a few thousand pounds left and I am worried about what will happen when it's gone.

I think I am right in saying that my boat will be considered as capital (it's worth over £16,000) if I was to apply for housing benefit and, until it is sold and that money spent, I would not qualify.

Is this correct? If I have to sell my boat, I will have to give up my degree and any hope of improving my circumstances.

Thanks, Kathy

mynameistallulah

I don't know the answer for definite, but my understanding is if it is permanently moored then it is classed as a capital asset (in effect, a second property). I'll see if I can find out anything further.

(The only other info I can find relates to housing benefit, but would support the above.)

Kathymel

Thanks for your reply, Tallulah.

Is it classed as a second property when I the house I live in is rented?